BMW Performance shift knob question

[whilechukwuzout]

It seems like most people on here gravitate to the ZHP knob rather than the performance knob, which I can respect, but I think the Performance knob is awesome.

One small problem, the material on the knob is alcantara, and Id like to change it to leather (to match my interior). Does anyone here know if they come apart or if it might be possible in any way to retrofit leather in the place of the alcantara on the knob?

[v3.0si]

i have the performance knob and had the same concerns about the leather not matching anything else in the car... you won't even notice it unles you touch it. peoples eyes focus immediately on the shift pattern on top. don't worry about it.

but... if you just can't stand it... i would not recommend switching hides yourself. looking at the knob in detail, BMW used a dumptruck load of glue to put this thing together. even somebody with saint-like patience would probably go mad trying the swap and end up maiming its owner.

[whilechukwuzout]

Thanks for the heads up. I think Im gonna go for it then. Ill take your word for it that the knob wont clash with the interior.

Im just approaching the issue cautiously because $95 is a hair steep for a shift knob.

[v3.0si]

no clashing...

the knob is gobs better than the factory option. much heavier, ~ 1/2" shorter, and the circumference is smaller too... it's a good buy. you'll be happy with it.

[v3.0si]

a fellow zposter unknowingly urged me to post a compairo vs. stock, so here goes... (apologies for the flash issues, the z was blocked into its little cave so the pics are a bit contrast heavy)

[3002 tii]

^ flash... yea right, more like you need a tan.

thanks for posting the pics, very helpful. i take it the flash only makes the suede vs leather boot more noticeable, but normally the contrast is not that obvious?

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

^ flash... yea right, more like you need a tan.

thanks for posting the pics, very helpful. i take it the flash only makes the suede vs leather boot more noticeable, but normally the contrast is not that obvious?

you jersey guys are all about tans, aren't you? hahha

[v3.0si]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

^ flash... yea right, more like you need a tan.

i'll be sure to work on that.

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

i take it the flash only makes the suede vs leather boot more noticeable, but normally the contrast is not that obvious?

the flash does seem to reflect off of the alcantara a lot more, my guess is due to the lateral surface area of the fuzzies. full daylight though... i can't tell the difference, especially just looking into the car. it feels wierd at first after the change, but after taking those pics with the stock knob... no way i'd ever go back.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

you jersey guys are all about tans, aren't you? hahha

that and fighting the beat....

lol

Originally Posted by v3.0si

i'll be sure to work on that.



the flash does seem to reflect off of the alcantara a lot more, my guess is due to the lateral surface area of the fuzzies. full daylight though... i can't tell the difference, especially just looking into the car. it feels wierd at first after the change, but after taking those pics with the stock knob... no way i'd ever go back.

I'm wondering if the e46 suede boot would fit...

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...hift-boot.aspx

[v3.0si]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

I'm wondering if the e46 suede boot would fit...

whoa... deja vu!


the issue is the plastic ring at the base of the boot that snaps into the console. the e46 has a fairly large hole, so it may be possible to remove the ring from the stock e86 boot and fit it in place of the ring on the e46 boot. there are two problems that may come up though...

1) the plastic rings are glued in, so damaging the leather is a possibility during removal.

2) the e46 boot is not symetrical at its base; the hole it snaps into is like a lopsided trapezoid. even with the e86 ring installed, it may not sit pretty.

i'll see if i can't dig up a donor to try it out.

the e8x and both e9x boots that i tried were way different shaped and the overall size at the base of the boot was no where near big enough.

[v3.0si]

along the alcantara-is-clashing-with-my-shit lines...

the ///m-sport seats are trimmed in the stuff from the factory. from the driver's seat, looking down and around the cabin, multiple alcantara sightings have been reported. while it's not overly obvious - anything that isn't a sitting surface, or that has a plastic panel over it, is alcantara (at least that's the way mine are).

[whilechukwuzout]

Yea Im not too worried about the clashing anymore lol. v3.0si thanks for all those pictures, and don't worry about the flash lol. One of the laments of alcantara is that it is NOOOOOTTTTT photogenic. I used to have a 2004 Civic Si, which has awesome alcantara bucket seats, but in every photo they look like hell lol.

Ive gone ahead and ordered one. Im tired of the stock one.

[gferil]

I just installed this performance knob last night and love it. I've had the ZHP knob, liked the shorter throw it helped to provide and the weight was great, it just never felt comfortable for me when doing some serious rowing through the gears. Granted I've had this one on for less than 12 hours but I already love it better than the ZHP and it's levels better than the OEM one. I actually never really liked how the OEM one lit up, so this is a perfect switch for me.

Throws are shorter, weight is good, engagement feel more precise, and the shape feels more natural when shifting quickly. I'm sure it's all subjective so those of you thinking of the switch should try out both, but I suggest switching to one or the other because it's way better than stock.

Also, it doesn't look out of place at all, even though it's the only part in my interior that has alcantara (which feels awesome by the way), and the silver plastic material matches that on the door handles pretty nicely.

[nekky]

So it fits no modifications needed?

[Jmanscotch]

Originally Posted by v3.0si

1) the plastic rings are glued in, so damaging the leather is a possibility during removal.

2) the e46 boot is not symetrical at its base; the hole it snaps into is like a lopsided trapezoid. even with the e86 ring installed, it may not sit pretty.

i'll see if i can't dig up a donor to try it out.

the e8x and both e9x boots that i tried were way different shaped and the overall size at the base of the boot was no where near big enough.

I tried an OE E90 boot leather and it fit just fine (in regards to base being large enough) but the leather was too bulky to allow the ring base to secure well into the console.

I went with the E9x perforated leather knob (comes as one piece; knob and boot, but I seperated the two and just used the knob). Pictures of the too bulky shift boot and the knob, here: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=639366

Originally Posted by nekky

So it fits no modifications needed?

Most late model BMW knobs are all interchangable, so yes, it'll secure on the shifter just fine without modification

[Denton]

This is on the to-do list. Can't wait, that comparison between the Performance and stock is very helpful.

EDIT: Ordered!